Tyco Rapla kick off with overtime drama

14.10.2014, Povilas Baranauskas, BBL.net; Photo: Siim Solman

RAPLA – The Baltic Basketball League season kicked off with an intense battle between Tyco Rapla and Tarvas, where the home side was able to come out on top with a 95-90 (20-13; 24-27; 15-21; 22-20) overtime victory on Tuesday evening.

While the game started with the two teams exchanging leads in the initial minutes, great defense by the home side allowed them to jump ahead by seven, while keeping the visitors scoreless for four minutes.

However, Tarvas started the second quarter strong and within a minute were back in the game, as the scoreboard glared only a 20-18 deficit. While the teams traded punch after punch, Rapla managed to stay ahead with a slight lead and were in front by four at halftime.

Two early buckets pushed the margin to eight, but Tarvas came storming back and with seven minutes played in the third quarter, finally evened the score – 54-54. An array of free-throws allowed the visitors to grasp their first lead of the game, as they were finally in front by two entering the final quarter.

A 10-0 run in the midst of the fourth quarter allowed Tarvas to take control of what seemed a tangible – seven point lead, which, however, was cut short by an 8-0 run from their opponents. For the final two minutes, both teams scored only from the free-throw line.

After forty minutes of game-time the score was all tied and the two teams headed for the first overtime of the season, where Janar Soo took matters into his own hands. Two consecutive three-pointers put Tyco Rapla ahead by six and decided the outcome of the game.

Kristers Zeidaks was unstoppable for Rapla, as he collected a solid double-double with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Martin Paasoja added 18 points, while Rait-Riivo Laane and Rait Keerles finished with 11 points each. Ernestas Ezerskis and Janar Soo ended the game with 10 apiece.